Fulton hotel tax passes

Turnout for Tuesday’s special election to decide on a three percent tax on hotel stays within Fulton was low, but the tax found vast approval from those who voted.

According the official results, of the 256 votes cast during the election, 86 percent were cast in favor of the new tax, the revenue from which will be used to help fund various projects throughout the city. The tax had to have at least a 60 percent vote in its favor to pass.

There is no firm date on when the new tax will go into effect.
The funds generated by the hotel or “tourism” tax — estimated at approximately $50,000 to $70,000 annually — will be used to support several major projects throughout the city, including improvements to the natural gas lines in the city, especially to the downtown area and the port.

According to Fulton Mayor Paul Walker, adding a small tax to hotel stays proved popular among the board of aldermen because it would help finance some much-needed projects without being a burden to most of the city’s residents.

The mayor said the extra money and the projects it funds will be a real boon for the area’s growth.